What to Expect From Therapy

Expect to spend time with a professional therapist who will listen and not judge. She will research conditions that are impacting your life, and ask meaningful questions. Clients are guided t​o identify and recognize to their complex emotions.  A treatment plan is jointly crafted and can be updated over time. You can expect to feel supported and guided in your journey.

What is Therapy? 


• Therapy is a special time reserved for the client and therapist to talk about a client’s stressors or life goals. They might work on therapeutic activities together, particularly when the client is very young. (However, therapeutic arts are available to all ages!)

  
• The therapist and the client develop a trusting relationship over time. They are respectful to each other by participating fully, arriving on time, and sharing any concerns. It is based on honesty, trust, and confidentiality. 
  * Exceptions to confidentiality: if the client is in danger of hurting themselves or others.

• Therapy should feel supportive, but not like a friendship. This is a close, professional, trusting relationship where the client is free to share their thoughts and concerns.

• The therapist may bring up topics that the client seeks to avoid because they are painful. However, this is an important part of personal growth. The therapist will gently guide the client through these growth discussions and the client will gain insight as a result.

• Therapy is not about simply getting advice. Instead, it is about learning to analyze the best direction, with a trusted guide to help in the process. In a therapeutic relationship, the client is always in charge of all life decisions. The therapist will help the client assess and evaluate, but it is the client who determines their own course of action.

• Each session is a unique opportunity to share and be heard. The more engaged and open a client is with the therapist, the more benefit will be derived.

• Talking and/or artistic expression helps to understand motivation and behavior. Sometimes a person may be too close to a situation to see the full picture, but when they express themselves, they gain insights that improve their quality of life.

  
• Talking helps to process emotions and difficult situations to foster healing and growth.

  
• Talking helps to reflect on progress toward goals. (For example, an educational goal, a relationship goal, a personal goal, etc.)
  

What to Bring to Therapy

• An open mind and heart, along with a readiness to share and learn about oneself through a process of self-exploration and your insurance card.
  
• It is helpful to think about a few areas that have been on your mind before each weekly session in order to help the client and the therapist to maximize their session. 

  
• Beyond the session itself, clients should consider what changes they might try during the time in-between sessions. (For example, “I will try to be kinder to myself this week, watching out for negative thoughts.”)
  

Things to ask your insurance company prior to your first visit at ATCC

• Do I have Behavioral Health Benefits?
  
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
  
• How many sessions per calendar year will my plan cover?​
  
• Do I have a co-pay or co-insurance and what is the amount?
  
• How much will my plan cover for out-of-network providers?
  
• Is approval required from my primary doctor?